Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a form of high blood pressure isolated to the arteries running from your heart to your lungs. The arteries tighten, stiffen or develop clots, narrowing the blood vessels and making it difficult for the heart to pump blood. This not only restricts blood flow, but also strains and weakens the muscles of the right ventricle, increasing your risk of heart failure. Medications and surgical procedures are often used to slow the progression of the disease; however, doctors recommend nutritional changes to better manage the condition.
Sodium
Like all forms of high blood pressure, pulmonary arterial hypertension requires you to restrict your sodium consumption. Instead of the recommended daily allowance of 2,400 mg a day, you'll need to reduce your sodium intake to no more than 1,500 mg, advises the American Heart Association. Avoid salting your meals and eating food known to be high in sodium, such as deli meats, canned soups, canned veggies, prepackaged meals, condiments and salty snacks.
Fat
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, this form of high blood pressure also involves reducing your fat intake, especially saturated fat and trans fat. Diets high in fat can raise your cholesterol levels and lead to the formation of plaque on your arterial walls, further narrowing the pulmonary arteries. With saturated fat, limit your intake to no more than 7 percent of your caloric intake each day, recommends the American Heart Association. Trans fat is much lower, making up only 1 percent of your daily calories.
Cholesterol
Along with restricting fat, reduce your intake of dietary cholesterol. Diets high in cholesterol can have a negative impact on blood cholesterol, and result in further narrowing of the pulmonary arteries. Your health and medical condition dictates the amount you can consume each day, but doctors typically recommend no more than 300 mg a day for most people and less than 200 mg a day for people with heart disease or high cholesterol.
Diet
Limiting your intake of sodium, fat and cholesterol isn't always enough to improve pulmonary arterial hypertension. Doctors and dietitians commonly make additional dietary changes in the way of healthier food options. Each day your diet should include four to five servings of both fruits and vegetables and six to eight servings of whole grains. Low-fat dairy is often limited to no more than three servings a day and lean meat to no more than 6 oz. Avoid foods with added sugar whenever possible.
